Sandhill Crane Spotted in Seneca County

10/14/2013 6:55:11 AM

By News Release

SENECA FALLS: It’s not endangered, threatened or a species of concern, but sighting a Sandhill Crane in the Finger Lakes is still a thrill for birding enthusiasts, and a pair has recently been sighted at the Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve on Black Brook Road. Ben Zimmerman of Applied Ecological Services, the Site Manager for the preserve, has reported multiple sightings of the pair near the south basin. “In my home territory of Wisconsin, flocks of Sandhill Cranes are a common sight, but in this area they are few and far between,” says Zimmerman. “Their call is probably one of the most unique features of this bird. If Pterodactyls were around today, I would guess their call would be quite similar.”

During mating, Sandhill Crane pairs participate in what is known as "unison calling." The birds will throw their heads back and sing together in a sort of raucous duet. They generally nest in wetlands and create a structure from whatever plants may be at hand. Females typically lay two eggs, which both parents incubate. Males take responsibility for defending the nest.

The trails at the Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve are open daily from dawn to dusk. For information about programs at the preserve, log onto senecameadows.com or call 315-539-5624.